A Tuscaloosa man with a history of breaking into locally-owned small businesses has struck again, according to Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesman Sgt. Brent Blankley .
Police found Michael Jones trying to break into The Waysider restaurant on Greensboro Avenue early Thursday morning, Blankley said, and after examining the evidence in 17 recent cases, believe Jones is responsible.
Michael Jones has been charged with 17 counts burglary.Jones is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on 17 charges of burglary and one of robbery.
TPD investigators say Jones targeted local laundromats, restaurants and hair salons.
Earlier this week, the department released a photo of a man breaking into and stealing money from Hooligan’s on University Boulevard. Police say that man is Jones.
Last week, police released a photo of a man, who has since been identified as Jones, robbing the clerk at Soap & Suds on 10th Avenue.
Early Thursday morning, an officer working the overnight shift heard an alarm sound for a couple of seconds. He noticed The Waysider restaurant was completely dark, so he pulled in to investigate further, Blankley said. The officer called for backup after seeing someone run from the corner of the business.
Officers blanketed the area and captured Jones near 15th Street and Queen City Avenue. Investigators, Blankley said, discovered someone cut the phone lines at The Waysider and pulled the power meter from the building.
Police say the man pictured is Michael Jones breaking into Hooligan's on Oct. 23. He has since been charged with 17 counts of burglary.Jones is also accused of breaking into Renovation Beauty Salon in August; Threads and Heads Embroidery, Ruan Thai, One Stop Laundry, Shoe Show and 4th and 23rd in September and The Queen restaurant, Divas Styling Salon, Rama Jama’s, The Bear Trap, El Rincon, Car Quest Auto Parts, Nails Unlimited and Fletcher Supply in October.
Jones, who, according to court records, has served time, plead guilty to 1998 break-ins of Tut’s Pizza, Crimson Cafe and a Thai restaurant.
In May 2012, he was charged with taking cash, coins and candy from Cleansing Tide. He plead guilty and was released on April 5 without having to post bond.
According to sentencing documents included in that court file, Jones’ prior convictions would have qualified him to spend four to 10 years in prison. He failed to appear at a court hearing scheduled for Monday to discuss his application for probation.
Court records also indicate a fugitive warrant was issued for Jones in April. He had been charged with stealing a vehicle in Georgia and failed to show up for scheduled court hearings there. Georgia declined to extradite him.
Jones remained in the Tuscaloosa County Jail Friday with bail set at $315,000.